U.S. patent number 4,876,970 [Application Number 07/225,829] was granted by the patent office on 1989-10-31 for coin operated infant changing table.
Invention is credited to Wendy Bolduc.
United States Patent |
4,876,970 |
Bolduc |
October 31, 1989 |
Coin operated infant changing table
Abstract
A coin operated infant changing table includes a generally
rectangular housing supporting a movable cover unit secured to the
housing in a pivotal fashion. A coin receiving unit controls an
internal lock which releasably secures the pivotable cover unit to
the housing in a closed position. Automatic product dispensing
means are provided which dispense a convenience product during the
opening motion of the cover unit and hinged support arms secure the
extended position of the cover unit while providing safety members
to partially enclose the infant placed upon the cover unit. A
disposable paper roll provides a supply of fresh paper to the
infant changing surface.
Inventors: |
Bolduc; Wendy (Ventura,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
22846422 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/225,829 |
Filed: |
July 29, 1988 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/35; 221/199;
5/947; 5/908; 70/DIG.1; 312/248 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47D
5/003 (20130101); A47D 5/006 (20130101); G07F
17/18 (20130101); Y10S 70/01 (20130101); Y10S
5/908 (20130101); Y10S 5/947 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47D
5/00 (20060101); G07F 17/18 (20060101); G07F
17/00 (20060101); A47B 003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;108/35,33,42,48,38
;70/DIG.1 ;312/248 ;221/199 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Aschenbrenner; Peter A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: LoJacono; Francis X.
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A coin operated infant changing table comprising:
a wall housing attachable to a vertical surface, said wall housing
including a dispensing means for storing and dispensing convenience
products;
a cover unit, defining a table surface, pivotally secured to said
wall housing and rotatable between a closed position against said
wall housing and an extended position in which said cover unit
extends outwardly from said wall housing to support said table
surface horizontally;
a pair of hinged support members coupled between said wall housing
and said cover unit and forming protective side members adjacent
said table surface in said extended position;
coin means for locking said cover unit to said wall housing in said
closed position and releasing said cover unit when a predetermined
combination of coins are received within said coin means; and
operating means coupled to said cover unit and said dispensing
means, said operating means dispensing a convenience product each
time said cover unit is rotated from said closed position to its
extended position.
2. A coin operated infant changing table as set forth in claim 1
wherein said table surface includes a resilient pad.
3. A coin operated infant changing table as set forth in claim 2
wherein said wall housing includes a paper roll, having a paper
sheet rolled thereon, supported adjacent to said table surface for
permitting a portion of said paper sheet to be drawn across said
resilient pad.
4. A coin operated infant care table as set forth in claim 3
wherein said dispensing means include:
a vertical receptacle defining a vertical channel and exit slot for
receiving a plurality of convenience products in a stacked
array;
a paddle wheel having a plurality of angularly disposed paddles
horizontally disposed within said vertical receptacle adjacent said
exit slot supporting said convenience products and serially
dispensing said convenience products through said exit slot when
said paddle wheel is rotated.
5. A coin operated infant changing table as set forth in claim 4
wherein said operating means include:
ratchet means coupled to said cover unit and supporting a first
pulley;
a second pulley coupled to said paddle wheel; and
a drive belt coupled between said first and second pulleys;
said ratchet means rotating said first pulley solely during pivotal
motion of said cover unit from said closed position to said
extended position causing a corresponding incremental rotation of
said paddle wheel to carry a unit of said convenience product from
said vertical channel to said exit slot.
6. A coin operated infant changing table comprising:
a vertical wall housing having top, bottom, side and rear surfaces
forming an interior cavity;
a pair of product dispensing channels supported within said
interior cavity;
a generally planar dispenser cover secured to said side and top
surfaces to enclose a portion of said product dispensing channels
and defining a pair of exit slots beneath said channels;
a cover unit having a planar table surface and a pair of parallel
side members, pivotally secured to said side surfaces of said
vertical wall housing and pivotable between a closed position
overlying said dispenser cover and an extended position extending
perpendicularly from said vertical wall housing;
coin receiving means for receiving a predetermined combination of
coins;
lock means coupled to and operated by said coin receiving means for
releasably securing said cover unit to said wall housing in said
closed position;
a pair of paddle wheels having a common axle rotatably supported
within each of said product dispensing channels;
a ratchet drive coupled to said cover unit having a first pulley,
said ratchet drive being operative to rotate said first pulley
solely in response to movement of said cover unit from said closed
position to said extended position;
a second pulley coupled to said axle;
a pulley belt coupling said first and second pulleys; and
a pair of foldable arm members extending between said side surfaces
of said vertical wall housing and said side members of said cover
unit.
7. A coin operated infant changing table as set forth in claim 6
wherein said cover unit includes a resilient changing pad supported
upon said table surface.
8. A coin operated infant changing table as set forth in claim 7
having a roll of paper, having an elongated sheet of paper rolled
thereon, supported within said wall housing beneath said exit
slots, said paper sheet being drawn from said paper roll to cover
said changing pad.
9. A coin operated infant changing table as set forth in claim 8
wherein said pair of paddle wheels are angularly offset.
10. A coin operated infant changing table as set forth in claim 9
wherein said cover unit includes a tear bar extending between said
side member adjacent said changing pad.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to folding tables and work
surfaces and particularly to folding tables used for infant care
and diapering.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Persons caring for infant children must periodically attend to
their needs of cleaning and diapering as well as changes of
clothes. While this task is comparatively simple to carry forward
in the home environment, there arises considerable difficulty in
meeting these infant care needs during periods of travel or other
periods spent in public environments. One of the major difficulties
presented during such travel periods and time spent in public
environments is the general lack of access to appropriate sanitary
care facilities to accomplish the infant care needs. More
particularly, there arises a need for a conveniently available
sanitary surface upon which the infant may be placed during infant
care and diapering. In addition, there arises a need for access to
certain products which are generally used in the care and cleansing
of an infant during diapering and other infant care activities.
In general, this need has been virtually ignored by persons
maintaining travel facilities and public environments. As a result,
there has arisen a need to provide appropriate infant care
facilities to travelers and persons occupying public environments.
This need has prompted practitioners in the art to create various
devices intended to make such infant care facilities available.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,851,700 issued to Denison sets forth a COMBINED
CHILD' CRIB AND DRESSING TABLE in which a conventional child's crib
is adapted to support a pivotally mounted dressing table surface.
The dressing table is supported alternatively in a storage position
or an extended position in which it overlies a portion of the
child's crib and is supported thereby.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,735,737 issued to Hancock sets forth a DIAPERING
SUPPORT in which a wall mounted housing supports a roll of
disposable paper against a wall surface such that the desired
quantity of disposable paper may be drawn outwardly from the
housing. The housing further supports a flat surface which is
hingeably secured to the housing at one end and supported by a pair
of folding arms near the other end. The flat surface is foldable to
a closed position against the supporting wall and an open position
in a general horizontal orientation extending outwardly from the
housing and supported by the folding arms. The disposable paper is
drawn outwardly from the housing to overlie the flat surface during
infant diapering and care.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,996 issued to Chase, et al. sets forth a
FOLDING CHILD SUPPORT in which a generally rectangular enclosure is
adapted to be securely supported by a wall surface. The enclosure
includes a hingeably secured outer surface which is pivotable
between a closed position securing the enclosure and an extended
position in which it forms a generally horizontal child care
surface. The enclosure further supports a plurality of compartments
and shelves and a variety of integrally molded utility
features.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,817,571 issued to Lee sets forth a WALL ATTACHED
FOLDING TABLE in which a generally planar table is secured to a
wall mounted support structure by a plurality of articulated arms
and springs. Means are provided for locking the table in the
extended position during use and for folding the table against the
supporting wall during periods of nonuse.
In addition to the foregoing, practitioners in the art have
provided other examples of folding table or work support
mechanisms. U.S. Pat. No. 3,232,663 issued to Janke, U.S. Pat. No.
2,857,222 issued to Keck, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,517,044 issued to
Boyer all set forth examples of different folding and support
structures for collapsible and foldable table devices.
While the foregoing described devices provide some attention to the
needs of persons traveling with infants or moving in public
environments with infants, they have thus far failed to properly
provide for the complete needs of the persons caring for infants
during travel and public activity. As a result, there remains a
need in the art for a convenient, easily accessible and reliably
sanitary facility for use by persons during infant care.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to
provide an improved facility for use in infant care by persons
traveling or in public environments. It is a more particular object
of the present invention to provide an improved facility for infant
care which simultaneously meets the needs for a sanitary work
surface and the accessibility of convenience products associated
with infant diapering and other infant care.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an
enclosure adapted to be received upon and secured to a vertical
wall surface which includes an enclosure cover foldable between a
closed position and an outwardly extending horizontal position
together with means for dispensing infant care items each time the
enclosure cover is moved to the open or extending position. The
present invention further includes a disposable covering for the
extending enclosure cover and a coin operated latch mechanism which
controls the movement of the enclosure cover and the dispensing of
infant care products.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention, which are believed to be
novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The
invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several
figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and
in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention coin operated
infant changing table in the closed position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention coin operated
infant changing table in the open position;
FIG. 3 is a partially sectioned view of the present invention coin
operated infant changing table;
FIG. 4 is a partial section view of a portion of the present
invention coin operated infant changing table; and
FIGS. 5A and 5B are sequential section views of the dispensing
apparatus of the present invention coin operated infant changing
table.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 sets forth a perspective view of the present invention coin
operated infant changing table generally referenced by numeral 10
in its closed position. Changing table 10 includes a generally
rectangular wall housing 11 which includes means (not shown) for
securing wall housing 11 and thereby changing table 10 to a
convenient vertical surface such as a wall or partition. While a
variety of attachment means may be contemplated for securing wall
housing 11 to a vertical surface, it has been found economical and
advantageous to secure wall housing 11 by a plurality of
conventional threaded fasteners in accordance with conventional
fabrication techniques. A cover unit 12 defines a pair of generally
parallel side members 20 and 21 and a front member 16. Sides 20 and
21 together with front 16 of cover unit 12 form a generally
U-shaped member which by means set forth below in greater detail is
pivotally secured to wall housing 11 such that sides 20 and 21 are
received on either side of wall housing 11 in the closed position
shown in FIG. 1. Front 16 further supports a mirror 13 secured
thereto by conventional fabrication techniques such as adhesives or
the like and a handle 14 extending outwardly from front 16 and
positioned above mirror 13.
A coin operator housing 15 comprises a generally rectangular
elongated housing secured to wall housing 11. Coin operator housing
15 in turn supports a coin receiver 24 constructed in accordance
with conventional fabrication techniques. Coin receiver 24 defines
a receiver plate 46 defining a plurality of receiver slots 40, 41
and 42. Receiver plate 46 is secured to coin operator housing 15.
Coin receiver 24 further defines an outwardly extending slide
support 35. A coin slide 33 defines a plurality of coin slots 30,
31 and 32 which are aligned respectively with receiver slots, 40,
41 and 42. Slide 33 further defines a handle 34. In accordance with
conventional coin receiver mechanisms, slide 33 is slideably
movable with respect to receiver plate 46 such that coin slots 30
through 32 are passed through receiver slots 40 through 42
respectively. Thus, a plurality of coins (not shown) may be
received within coin slots 30 through 32 and passed through
receiver slots 40 through 42 to operate coin receiver 24.
Coin operator housing 15 further defines a coin box 22 removably
secured to the lower portion of housing 15 by a lock fastener 23.
In the position shown in FIG. 1, cover unit 12 is secured to wall
housing 11 to form the closed position in which the interior of
changing table 10 is secured and in which access to the interior of
changing table 10 is denied. Accordingly, by means set forth below
in greater detail, cover unit 12 is securely locked to wall housing
11 such that pulling on handle 14 fails to pivot cover unit 12 away
from wall housing 11.
In accordance with its intended use, changing table 10 remains in
the closed position shown in FIG. 1 until the appropriate
combination of coins are deposited within coin slots 30 through 32
and passed into coin receiver 24 by pushing slide 33 inwardly such
that the deposited coins are passed through receiver slots 40
through 42 and deposited within coin box 22. By means set forth
below in greater detail, the inward motion of slide 33 releases the
lock mechanisms securing cover unit 12 to wall housing 11
permitting cover unit 12 to be pivoted downwardly to the open
position shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 sets forth a perspective view of changing table 10 in the
open or extended position. Wall housing 11 remains in the vertical
position suitable for attachment to a vertical surface as described
above. Wall housing 11 further defines a downwardly extending lock
plate 61 which in turn defines a pair of spaced apertures 62 and
63. Wall housing 11 further defines a pair of outwardly extending
side members 44 and 45. Coin operator housing 15 is secured to side
45 of housing 11 such that a space 25 is maintained therebetween.
As described above, coin operator housing 15 supports coin receiver
24 and coin box 22. Wall housing 11 further defines a product
dispenser 60, the details of which are set forth below in greater
detail, which includes a dispenser cover 68 and a pair of
dispensing slots 64 and 65. As is described below in greater
detail, dispenser cover 68 overlies a cavity within wall housing 11
which receives dispensable product and which in accordance with
means set forth below in greater detail is dispensed through slots
64 and 65.
Cover unit 12, which as described above, comprises a generally
planar front portion 16 and a pair of side members 20 and 21. Front
16 and sides 20 and 21 are joined to form a generally U-shaped
member. In addition, sides 20 and 21 terminate on their upper
surfaces in a pair of rolled edges 26 and 27. Side 21 further
defines a notch 75. A comfort pad 17 formed of a resilient material
such as foam rubber or plastic is received upon and secured to the
interior surface of front 16. A tear bar 74 extends between sides
20 and 21 and is secured thereto in a spaced parallel relationship
to front 16. Front 16 further supports a pair of lock pins 66 and
67. A pivot 73 provides a pivotal attachment between sides 44 and
20 while a similar pivotal attachment (not shown) secures sides 45
and 21. The pivotal attachment of sides 20 and 21 to sides 44 and
45 respectively permits cover unit 12 to be pivotally moved between
the open position shown in FIG. 2 and the closed position shown in
FIG. 1. A pair of support arms 50 and 52 are mutually secured at a
center hinge 54. Support arm 50 is secured to side 20 by a hinge 56
while support arm 52 is secured to side 44 by a hinge 58 (not
shown). A second pair of support arms 51 and 53 are mutually
secured at a center hinge 55. Support arm 51 is secured to side 21
by a hinge 57 while support arm 53 is secured to side 45 by a hinge
59. In combination, support arms 50, 52, 53 and 55 cooperate to
form folding arm structures which limit the pivotal motion of cover
unit 12 between the open position shown in FIG. 2 and the closed
position shown in FIG. 1. In addition, the placement of arms 50
through 53 is selected to provide a pair of safety supports on
either side of comfort pad 17 which in the manner described below
in greater detail tend to prevent an infant from rolling off of
comfort pad 17 during infant care.
A paper roll 70, forming a supply of sanitary flexible paper or the
like, is secured to sides 44 and 45 of wall housing 11 by means not
shown but which should be understood to include conventional paper
roller attachment means whereby a portion of paper 71 may be drawn
from paper roll 70. A guide bar 72 is secured to sides 44 and 45
and positioned above front 16. Paper 71 is threaded beneath guide
bar 72 and drawn outwardly across comfort pad 17 and beneath tear
bar 74. With the present invention changing table in the open
position shown in FIG. 2, the user obtains the fresh covering for
comfort pad 17 by drawing a portion of paper 71 from paper roll 70
and tearing the surplus therefrom by use of tear bar 74.
In the open or extended position shown in FIG. 2, changing table 10
provides a secure infant care surface which is supported by support
arms 50 through 53 and which is rendered sanitary and fresh by the
use of paper covering 71. Thus, in its intended use, the infant is
placed upon paper 71 above comfort pad 17 and rested therein
between arms 50 and 51. The infant care servicing may then be
carried forward with relative ease and relative comfort by the
user. Once the infant care activities are completed, the infant is
removed from comfort pad 17 and cover unit 12 is pivotally moved by
handle 14 about its pivotal attachment to wall housing 11 until it
closes to the position shown in FIG. 1. It should be noted that
pins 66 and 67 are spaced in accordance with the spacing between
apertures 62 and 63 and by means set forth below in greater detail
are received therein during the closure of cover unit 12 to form
the locking attachment referred to above.
FIG. 3 sets forth a perspective partially sectioned view of the
present invention coin operated infant changing table in the open
position. As set forth above in connection with FIG. 2, wall
housing 11 is supported in an upright or vertical position against
a convenient wall surface by conventional attachment means (not
shown). Housing 11 further defines a pair of downwardly extending
side portions 44 and 45 and supports a convenience product
dispenser 60. A divider 119 extends downwardly within housing 11
and provides a separation between sides 44 and 45. A dispenser
cover 68 extends across divider 119 between sides 44 and 45 and
provides a covering for the interior of housing 11. Dispenser cover
68 further defines a pair of bottom slots 64 and 65 (better seen in
FIG. 2). A pair of paddle wheels 120 and 130 are supported within
housing 11 near slots 64 and 65 by an elongated axle 145. As is
further described below, paddle wheels 120 and 130 are secured to
axle 145 and are rotatable within housing 11. Housing 11 further
supports a pair of angled guide surfaces 121 and 131 together with
a pair of curved guides 127 and 137. A plurality of convenience
products represented by absorbent pads 140, 141 and 142 are
supported within housing 11. As in further described above, pads
141 and 142 are captivated within housing 11 by paddle wheel 30
while pad 140 has been moved to its dispensing position in which
the user may withdraw pad 140 from housing 11 through slot 64.
While the portion of housing 11 between divider 119 and side 45 is
shown empty in FIG. 3, it should be understood that, in normal use,
it to would support a plurality of convenience products such as
pads 140 through 142.
Housing 15 extends vertically in parallel relationship with housing
11 and is spaced therefrom to define a space 25 extending between
housing 11 and housing 15. As described above, housing 15 supports
a coin receiver 24 constructed in accordance with conventional
fabrication techniques. Coin receiver 24 further includes an
inwardly extending arm 95 which is operative in response to motion
of slide 33. A lock bar 90 is pivotally secured to housing 15 by a
pivot pin 91. In addition, lock bar 90 is pivotally attached to arm
95 by a pivot pin 93 at one end. A lock bar 80 defines a pair of
apertures 82 and 83 together with a pair of slot portions 84 and 85
extending therefrom. Lock bar so is pivotally secured to the
remaining end of lock bar 90 by a pivot pin 92 and is supported
within housing 11 by an end receptacle 86. A spring 94 is coupled
between housing 15 and lock bar 90 to urge lock bar 90 to pivot
about pivot 91 in the counterclockwise direction indicated by arrow
100 which in turn urges lock bar 80 to the left as indicated by
arrow 101 causing slots 84 and 85 to be aligned with apertures 62
and 63 in housing 11. The alignment of slots 84 and 85 with
apertures 62 and 63 forms the locked position of the present
invention coin operated infant changing table.
Axle 145 further supports a pulley 113 in a fixed attachment
whereby rotation of pulley 113 causes a corresponding rotation of
axle 145 and paddle wheels 120 and 130. Housing 11 further supports
a ratchet drive unit 111 constructed in accordance with
conventional ratchet mechanisms and supporting a pulley 110. As in
set forth below in greater detail, ratchet unit 111 couples pulley
110 to side 21 of cover unit 12 in a ratcheting or one-way drive
configuration. A flexible belt 112 couples pulley 110 to pulley
113.
A cover unit 12, constructed in the manner described above, defines
a generally U-shaped member pivotally secured to housing 11 by a
pair of pivots 73 and 74 (pivot 74 not shown). Cover unit 12
defines a pair of side portions 20 and 21 and a generally planar
front portion 16. Front portion 16 in turn supports a resilient pad
17, a handle 14, and a pair of upwardly extending lock pins 66 and
67. Pins 66 and 67 are spaced in accordance with the spacing of
apertures 62 and 63 of wall housing 11. Pin 66 comprises an
upwardly extending stem 76 and an expanded head 77. Similarly, pin
67 defines an upwardly extending stem 78 and an expanded head 79. A
pair of support arms 50 and 52 are secured at a center hinge 54.
Arm 52 is secured to side 44 of housing 11 at a hinge 58 while arm
50 is secured to side 20 of cover unit 12 by a hinge 56. Similarly,
a pair of support arms 51 and 53 are pivotally secured at a center
hinge 55. Arm 53 is pivotally secured to side 45 of housing 11 by a
hinge 59 while arm 51 is pivotally secured to side 21 of cover unit
12 by a hinge 57. Cover unit 12 further supports a laterally
extending guide bar 72 and a paper roll 70 together with a
laterally extending tear bar 74. Paper 71 is drawn outwardly from
roll 70 beneath guide bar 72 and across pad 17 and beneath tear bar
74. Thereafter, the excess portion of paper 71 may be removed by
drawing it upwardly against tear bar 74. The important aspect is
that a fresh covering paper 71 may thus be provided for resilient
pad 17 to assure the presence of a clean dry surface for the
infant.
In operation, a plurality of coins are placed within slide 33 which
permit slide 33 of coin receiver 12 to be moved inwardly which in
turn drives arm 95 inwardly overcoming spring 94. The inward motion
of arm 95 causes lock bar 90 to pivot about pivot 91 in a clockwise
manner which in turn draws lock bar 80 in the direction indicated
by arrow 102. As lock bar 80 is drawn in the direction of arrow
102, apertures 82 and 83 in lock bar 80 are aligned with apertures
62 and 63 respectively of housing 11. The alignment of apertures 82
and 83 with apertures 62 and 63 releases pins 66 and 67
respectively of cover unit 12. Thus, with the present invention
coin operated infant changing table in the closed position of FIG.
1, the foregoing described operation of coin receiver 24 releases
pins 66 and 67 and permits cover unit 12 to be pivoted to the open
position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. During the pivotal motion of cover
unit 12, ratchet drive unit 111 causes a corresponding angular
rotation of pulley 110. The rotation of pulley 110 is coupled to
pulley 113 by belt 112 causing a corresponding rotation of paddles
120 and 130. In accordance with the arrangement set forth above in
greater detail, the relative sizes of pulleys 110 and 113 as well
as the angular relationship between paddle wheels 120 and 130 is
selected to provide the release of a single one of the convenience
products stored within dispenser 60 during a single opening motion
of cover unit 12. Thus, in opening the present invention coin
operated infant changing table from the closed position of FIG. 1
to the extended position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a single
convenience product is dispensed to the user.
Once slide 33 of coin receiver 24 is released, spring 94 urges arm
95 outwardly in the direction of arrow 100 which in turn pivots
lock bar 90 in the counterclockwise direction causing lock bar 80
to be moved in the direction indicated by arrow 101 such that slots
84 and 85 are once again aligned with apertures 62 and 63
respectively of the wall housing 11. As a result, the return of
cover unit 12 to the closed position shown in FIG. 1 causes pins 66
and 67 to be forced through apertures 62 and 63 respectively and
causes lock bar 80 to be urged in the direction of arrow 102
forcing lock bar 80 to temporarily assume the position in which
apertures 82 and 83 are aligned with apertures 62 and 63
respectively and permitting heads 77 and 79 of pins 66 and 67 to be
received within apertures 82 and 83. Once heads 77 and 79 pass
through apertures 82 and 83 respectively, the urging force of
spring 94 causes lock bar 80 to be moved in the direction indicated
by arrow 101 causing stem portions 76 and 78 of pins 66 and 67 to
be captivated within slots 84 and 85 of lock bar 80. The
captivation of pins 66 and 67 within slots 84 and 85 respectively
secures cover unit 12 in the closed position shown in FIG. 1.
It should be noted that, in accordance with conventional ratchet
drive fabrication techniques, the pivoting motion of cover unit 12
in returning from the open position shown in FIG. 3 to the closed
position shown in FIG. 1 is not coupled to pulley 110. As a result,
no dispensing of product occurs during the closing operation of the
present invention coin operated infant changing table.
FIG. 4 sets forth a partial view of the present invention coin
operated infant changing table in which housing 15 is supported
against a convenient vertical surface (not shown) and in which
cover unit 12 is in the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. As
described above, an axle 145 extends through housing 15 and housing
11 and supports a pair of paddle wheels 120 and 130. Paddle wheel
120 includes four perpendicularly spaced paddles 122, 123, 124 and
125. Similarly, paddle wheel 130 includes four perpendicularly
spaced paddles 132, 133, 134 and 135. It should be noted that in
accordance with an important aspect of the present invention,
paddle wheels 120 and 130 are angularly offset with respect to each
other by forty-five degree angle indicated by angle 152 between
paddle 124 of paddle wheel 120 and paddle 134 of paddle wheel
130.
A ratchet drive 111 is coupled to side 20 of cover unit 12 and
supported by housing 15. Ratchet 111 is further coupled to a pulley
110. A second pulley 113 is coupled to axle 145 and a flexible belt
112 is stretched between pulleys 110 and 113. Ratchet drive 111 is
constructed in accordance with conventional one-way ratcheting
structures and includes a ratchet bar 114 supported against housing
15 by a pivot 115. Ratchet bar 114 and ratchet 111 cooperate to
inhibit rotation of pulley 110 when cover unit 12 is pivoted in the
closing direction indicated by arrow 148. Conversely, ratchet drive
111 and ratchet bar 114 cooperate to permit pulley 110 to rotate
when cover unit 12 is opened and pivots in the direction indicated
by arrow 149. In accordance with an important aspect of the present
invention, the relative sizes of pulleys 110 and 113 are selected
to ensure that pulley 113 is rotated through one-half the angular
rotation of pulley 110. In operation, with cover unit 112 in the
closed position shown in FIG. 1, the opening motion in the
direction indicated by arrow 149 causes rotation of pulley 110 in
the direction indicated by arrow 153 and a corresponding rotation
of pulley 113 in the direction indicated by arrow 155. Because
cover unit 12 undergoes a ninety degree angular movement in the
opening motion, pulley 110 undergoes a corresponding ninety degree
angular rotation which in turn causes a forty-five degree angular
motion of pulley 113. Conversely, when cover unit 12 is returned
from the open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to the closed
position of FIG. 1, it is pivoted in the direction indicated by
arrow 148 which, but for the one-way operation of ratchet drive
111, would cause pulley 110 to rotate in the dlockwise direction
indicated by arrow 154. However, in accordance with the operation
of ratchet 111, pulley 110 remains fixed as cover unit 12 is
pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow 148 to return to the
closed position.
FIGS. 5A and 5B set forth simplified section views of paddle wheels
130 and 120 respectively. In FIG. 5A, housing 11 defines a
dispenser cover 68 and a rear surface 18. Dispenser cover 68
further supports a vertical guide 136 while rear surface 18
supports an angular guide 131. Guide 136 and 131 cooperate to
provide a restricted path for convenience products 142, 143 and 144
in the downward direction. Paddle wheel 130 is, as described above,
rotatably supported within housing 11 and includes a quartet of
paddle wheels 132 through 135. Housing 11 further defines a curved
guide 137 and a slot 64. In the position shown in FIG. 5A, paddle
wheel 130 has completed an angular rotation in the direction
indicated by arrow 150 in the above-described dispensing action
resulting in the release of a convenience product 140 from
confinement between paddles 132 and 133 and dispenser cover 68. As
a result, convenience product 140 falls downwardly from between
paddles 133 and 132 and outwardly through slot 64. In the position
shown in FIG. 5A, the rotation of paddle wheel 130 resulting in
dispensing of convenience product 140 simultaneously permits the
transfer of convenience product 141 from the accumulated supply
above guides 131 and 136 to the position shown between paddles 133
and 134.
Similarly, FIG. 5B shows the simultaneous position of paddle wheel
120 within housing 11 corresponding to the position of paddle wheel
130 shown in FIG. 5A. In similarity to the structure of FIG. 5A,
dispenser cover 60 extends downwardly covering housing 11 which in
turn supports vertical guide 126 and angled guide 121 to support a
plurality of convenience products 152 and 153. Housing 15 defines a
curved guide 127 similar to guide 137 in FIG. 5A. Because of the
foregoing described angular offset between paddle wheels 120 and
130, paddle wheel 120 which includes four equally spaced paddles
122 through 125 is offset by forty-five degrees from paddle 130 and
thus continues to captivate a convenience product 150 between
paddles 123 and 124 and dispenser cover 68.
With simultaneous reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, it should be noted
that during the next opening motion of cover unit 12 (see FIG. 4) a
forty-five degree rotation of paddle wheels 120 and 130 will take
place in the directions indicated by arrow 151 and 150
respectively. During that forty-five degree rotation, convenience
product 150 will be released from confinement between paddles 123
and 124 and dispensed through slot 65. Correspondingly, during the
same forty-five degree angular movement of paddle 130, convenience
product 141 will be captivated between paddle wheels 133 and 134
and dispenser cover 68.
As a result, each time cover unit 12 is opened and pivoted
downwardly from housing 11, a corresponding rotation of forty-five
degrees occurs in paddle wheels 120 and 130 resulting in alternate
dispensing of convenience product through slots 64 and 65. While
any number of convenience products may be dispensed in accordance
with the foregoing described operation of the present invention
infant changing table, it has been found particularly convenient to
use convenience products which comprise rolled absorbent pads for
use in the infant changing activity. It will be apparent, however,
that any number of products may be used, such as packaged diaper
wipes.
What has been shown is a convenient, economical and simple to use
coin operated infant changing table which folds to an extremely
compact configuration when not in use and which readily extends to
a secure reliable extended position and facilitates the care of
infants in public places and during travel. The coin operated
infant changing table shown provides for convenient availability of
a sanitary fresh working surface for receiving the infant as well
as the extension of safety support arms adjacent the working
surface to protect against accidental falls by the infant. In
addition, the present invention coin operated infant changing table
automatically dispenses a convenience product during the opening
motion of the cover unit.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
invention in its broader aspects. Therefore the aim in the appended
claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *